Part 13: First Production QuickSet Seats Have Arrived
Every now and then you open a box that represents years of work.
For me, that box showed up early.
Big milestone for us: First article in hand, fresh from the factory.
Inside were the first production-quality QuickSet bike seats. These were not hand-built prototypes but the real thing, made with the final tooling and materials. After months of sketches, back-and-forth emails with Lihuang, and late-night calls with Ben, it was a thrill to finally hold something that looked and felt like the seat we will bring to market.
I received three seats here in Minnesota. Two are for Anita and me to test ride, and one will serve as a demo for bike shops and fellow riders. Ben received two in California for updated photography, animations, and video work for our website and upcoming Kickstarter.
Prototype vs. First Article: Why This Step Matters
When people hear “prototype,” they often think “first version,” but for us it was a whole series of experiments.
The prototypes were built for learning, testing, and improving. We used cast-nylon bases made in silicone molds to refine the seat’s shape, comfort, and locking performance. They taught us how the QuickSet should feel but not how it would manufacture.
A first article is different. It is the first seat produced with the same tools, materials, and processes that will be used for full production. It proves the design, the tolerances, and the manufacturing setup all work together before we commit to thousands more.
Could not wait to see the first article on my e-bike. It adjusts easily, rides comfy, and honestly looks beautiful.
For QuickSet, that meant moving from cast nylon to injection-molded polypropylene. Our manufacturer has used polypropylene in many other bike seats, so I felt confident about its durability, but I still wanted to feel it on real rides. Materials can look identical on paper and behave completely differently on the trail.
The base material change was only part of the progress. We learned from every build. Each prototype taught us something. Here are the other functional and aesthetic updates we made:
- Laser-engraved guide rail so riders can instantly see which width setting they are using.
- Stainless-steel spring plungers instead of aluminum. They cost more, but strength and reliability won that argument. They also look sharp under the seat.
- Larger adjustment knobs, 25 millimeters across instead of 16, with grooves around the edges so you can find them by feel and grip them easily.
- Silk-screened branding on each side with our website and our trademark Adjust. Ride. Repeat.
- A small QR code on the back that links directly to BestBikeSeat.com. It was suggested by a friend of my daughter’s, and it looks pretty slick.
First Impressions
Holding these seats, the first thing I noticed was how solid they felt. Every component locked in with precision. The only small concern was that the seat halves slid a little more stiffly than on the prototypes. That could be as simple as tighter tolerances with the new material, but I will not assume anything until we ride them and take them apart.
Overall, I am very pleased. The changes that mattered most (the new material, the stronger plungers, and the improved knobs) all performed exactly as intended. Visually, the seats look ready for store shelves, which is a satisfying thing to say after so much time spent looking at molds, CAD drawings, and resin samples.
What Comes Next
QuickSet on the bike, sunrise on the trail, comfort for the miles ahead.
The next step is the fun part: real miles. Anita and I will be putting these seats through everyday use and bringing them to local bike shops for feedback. After a few hundred miles, I will disassemble them and inspect every surface for wear or stress. If the tests go as expected, this batch will clear the way for full production.
Reaching this point feels both surreal and exciting. A year ago, the QuickSet was a napkin sketch and a challenge I could not shake. Today, it is sitting in our garage ready to ride. That is progress you can hold in your hands.
Thank you to everyone who has followed our story so far. Every bit of encouragement helps keep us pedaling.
You can follow our Kickstarter page here and get a notification when we launch.